Attending first (Catholic) Divine Liturgy -- St. Michael's in Passaic, NJ

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I’m a Latin Rite Catholic in the Rutherford area this morning, so I’ve decided I will attend St. Michael’s Byzantine Cathedral in Passaic, NJ for Divine Liturgy. It will be only the second Divine Liturgy I have attended (the first was an Orthodox liturgy), and only the third non-Ordinary Form liturgy (having attended only one Extraordinary Form).

If, by chance, anyone here is attending the liturgy this morning, I’ll be the guy who’ll be one step behind everyone else, in a zipped up leather jacket because I don’t have a nice shirt (because I packed poorly).

Anyway, I thought I’d share my “impressions” (y’know, feelings of awe and wonder) afterwards. Benedicite!
 
I look forward to hearing your impressions of the cathedral!
 
Good luck, keep all here posted.

And please be aware that the term “ordinary form” and likewise “extraordinary form” do not apply to the Byzantine rite. Someone may take unintended offense if you mention that their liturgy is a non-Ordinary form. Many people might not even be aware of the basis for the terminology and this occasion is not one for you to teach them.

I expect that you will be greeted warmly. How fortunate for you that this is Forgiveness Sunday for Byzantine Catholics in Passaic. You may be greeted, implored forgiveness and kissed (or it may begin tonight, at Vespers, so go back). You should do likewise with those you encounter there. (Then come back to the board and do the same!)

It is also Cheesefare, the last day dairy products are consumed until Pascha (Easter). If there is hospitality afterward, be sure to avail yourself of it, it should be nice.

Michael, that sinner

Master, Teacher of wisdom,
Bestower of virtue,
you teach the thoughtless and protect the poor:
Strengthen and enlighten my heart.
Word of the Father,
let me not restrain my mouth from crying to you:
Have mercy on me, a transgressor,
O merciful Lord!
 
Hesychios said:
Good luck, keep all here posted.

And please be aware that the term “ordinary form” and likewise “extraordinary form” do not apply to the Byzantine rite. Someone may take unintended offense if you mention that their liturgy is a non-Ordinary form.
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Of course, but when Catholics raised in the liturgical killing fields of the novus ordo tend to become much more knowledgeable once they have been exposed to the traditional Roman rite or the Byzantine Divine Liturgy-- not that the new inclusive language recently injected into the DL is traditional.
 
I wish I had something to report, but the church was closed (doors were locked) at 7:50 AM this morning. 😦

Oh, I might know why. If today is a holy day, their morning service is at 9, not 8. Oh well.

I went to a Latin Rite Catholic parish and endured a lounge-singer’s take on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Maybe some other time. There’s a Byzantine church not too far from where I live in Princeton.
 
japhy said:
I wish I had something to report, but the church was closed (doors were locked) at 7:50 AM this morning. 😦

Oh, I might know why. If today is a holy day, their morning service is at 9, not 8. Oh well.

I went to a Latin Rite Catholic parish and endured a lounge-singer’s take on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Maybe some other time. There’s a Byzantine church not too far from where I live in Princeton.
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Call the rectory, and ask what time Forgiveness Vespers are scheduled to begin.

It would be a most worthwhile experience 👍
 
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